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Monthly Archives: November 2014

With all of the running around for the Thanksgiving Holiday, I needed a powder that would be able to keep my oil at bay while giving me flawless coverage.

I have used so many powders and foundations, that it is hard for me to stick with one brand/line over a long period of time, but after finding and using this $4.99 Maybelline powder, I haven’t been reaching for anything else.

Fit Me Pressed Powder is smooth, not grainy, and doesn’t flashback white in photos. There is a great range of color shades, and it is easy to appy. The formula deposits a nice amount of color and coverage on my skin without becoming cakey.

With 18 shades ranging from fair to dark, it is a great drugstore find for anyone.

Wearing Maybelline Fit Me Powder

Have you tried any products from Maybelline’s FitMe line? Have you tried this powder?

Just when I think of giving up on Ipsy, the Beauty Gods bestow upon me the best Glam Bag I’ve ever received.

November’s Ipsy them was Girl Meets Glitter. The bag itself leaves much to be desired, but the contents more than make up for it.

Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Hairspray

This hairspray smells great, and does not make your hair sticky to the touch. I’m not sure how well it will hold a curl, but it seems to be okay if you need to slick down your ponytail, or flyaways. I don’t purchase hairspray very often, but I would definitely buy this one.

SeaRX Micro-Dermabrasion Face & Body Scrub

Most times, I feel like if I’ve tried one micro-dermabrasion scrub, I’ve tried them all. The only variation I ever notice is scent. This scrub is finely grained with a light citrus scent. I did not notice much that was special about this scrub, so I could take it or leave it.

Wet n Wild Megaslicks Balm Stain

Although Wet n Wild is a cheap drugstore brand, they do have a select few products that are awesome, and their Balm Stain is one of those products. I have a couple of these stains in my collection, and they are pigmented and long lasting. If you like lip color, but don’t like leaving lipstick rings on your cup, this stain is for you.

Elizabeth Mott You’re So Fine Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

I have a sampled a few Elizabeth Mott products in my last year of subbing, and they have all been GREAT! This liquid liner has a great brush, however the color is not for me. The shade is black with silver glitter which is great for this month’s Glam Bag theme, but not so great for me to wear out and about on a daily basis. I will however purchase this liner in plain black. It seems to dry matte, doesn’t budge, and the brush give you enough control to do the perfect cat eye.

Edit: After writing up this post, but before publishing, when I washed my hand, the liner seemed to peel off of my hand, but didn’t run. So it is waterproof, as long as you don’t rub your eye while in water.

Tarte Maracuja Oil

THIS OIL IS EVERYTHING! When they say add oil to oily skin to control oil, this is the oil to use. I swear by this stuff. I have been using Tarte Maracuja Oil on and off since this time last year, and this oil is like a miracle. It makes my skin more supple, tones down my blemishes, gives me a healthy glow, and gives me oil control. Everytime I stop using this oil, my skin gets out of whack, as soon as I use it again, I notice that it heals my skin beautifully. The sample size is packaged beautifully, and it is the same deluxe size sample that Tarte packages in their holiday sets. I promise if you try this oil, you will see a significant change overnight.

Can you see why this is the BEST Glam Bag I’ve ever received? Did you get a good Ipsy sub this month?

Let’s face it this gorgeous feline Choupette lives a better life than I. Who wouldn’t want to be doted on by Karl Lagerfeld? I am a crazy cat lady, and as soon as I found out that Shu Uemura was coming out with the Shupette collection I was overly excited! When I actually looked at the items available, I had a hard time finding any items in the collection that I just HAD to have. Finally I decided on the Silk Cushion Cheek Blush in Orange. I snagged a coupon code the get the Shupette tote with any $25 or more purchase.

There were two blush shades available in the collection, and I chose the orange shade over the pink because I felt that it would look better against my tan skin. The formula is almost a mix between a powder and cream. It seems like it would be best applied by fingers because you would probably waste a lot of product applying this with a brush. I had a really hard time getting a good picture of the swatch of the Silk Cushion blush, but trust me, on my cheeks it actually shows up quite nicely. It will be a great shade for me to use in the Spring.

The size of the blush is a drawback. I did not pay close attention to the size, and when I got it I was surprised that it was a little more than half the size of a normal MAC blush. Another thing I don’t care for is that the blush has a twist off lid instead of the more convenient compact style lid. However, I do look forward to wearing this blush out.

I am in love with my Shupette tote, it is huge and adorable. I can’t decide if I will purchase more from this collection as I was a little underwhelmed by the choices.

Yesterday I received a text from one of my friends that she purchased a few tickets for the Macy’s Cosmetics and Fragrance Gala. It is an after hours VIP event held by Macy’s to showcase the beauty department. With not much else to do on a Sunday evening, I absolutely wanted to go.

So I put on my finest sequined jean jacket, and did a half pony-a la PRE Ariana Grande, (Dear everyone, please stop saying she made up this hairdo.) and got in the car to meet with my friends.

Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory before the Macy’s event.L-R: Brigette, Me, Atheana and Yadira

The event was from 7-10 pm and you had to have a ticket to get in. Upon arrival, the greeters were handing out goodie bags of beauty samples and raffle tickets.

The beauty department at my Macy’s seems slightly on the small side, so it was really congested in certain areas, and kind of hard to navigate to see all of the brands/products that my Macy’s had stocked. I had to walk the department a few times to even decide on anything I wanted to purchase.

Shiseido was providing free facials, and Urban Decay was doing makeovers. The fragrance department seemed to be the real hit of the night. Lots of people buying perfume sets.

My friend Brigette getting her makeup done at Urban Decay

Swatches of course

I was pleasantly surprised to see that Macy’s carried Inglot. I thought that was a brand I could only find online.

The rest of the store was roped off, so you couldn’t make purchases from any other departments.

I only purchased a few items because to be honest, Macy’s is not really the first place that I go to for my beauty needs. I much prefer Nordstrom, because their beauty department is larger, more organized, and I feel like they are a little more updated in their image. I attended an after hours Nordstrom event last year before Christmas, and it was nicer and better executed than last night’s event at Macy’s.

I am really happy I was able to attend the Macy’s Cosmetics and Fragrance Gala, because it was a fun night out with my friends, and I got a couple of great beauty buys along the way.

I have been telling all of my friends and family that are looking for a subscription beauty box to go with the Allue Sample Society Sub, and this month I am almost sorry that I’ve been speaking so highly of it. I get it. I know that we never truly know what we are going to get in these monthly subscription boxes, but I am still spending my money for samples, so I expect great sub boxes. Oh well, maybe all of my December subs will be spectacular.

November’s Sample Society box is all about winter survival. The products this month are geared toward skin and hair protection in the winter elements.

Malin + Goetz Bergamot Body Wash

The packaging of Malin + Goetz Bergamot Body Wash is very simple and almost medicinal looking. It is a gentle cleanser with a light citrusy scent. It is also safe for sensitive skin.

Calvin Klein Reveal

The Calvin Klein Reveal Perfume sample was the first thing I reached for to try from my box. It has a nice warm amber-ish kind of scent. However, there is a weird chemical-y after note, but still not unpleasant. I would wear this scent again if someone gifted it to me.

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Omega + Nourishing Oil

I don’t usually like adding extra oil to my hair, but in the winter time, I make an exception. Alterna Caviar line has been around for a while, and I’ve come across quite a few samples and I have to say the line is really nice. The scent is really pretty-if a smell can be pretty, and something you wouldn’t mind having to smell in your hair all day. I have not tried this sample on my hair yet, but the formula is thick, so it should help with the static that cold winter weather brings with it.

Lorac Cobra Mascara

I love mascara samples! I am never upset when I get mascara. Lorac is a great brand that has really had a ton of popularity this year. I have the Lorac SummerGlo palette, so this mascara will be a great addition to my collection. It is called cobra because the head of the wand is shaped to mimic a cobra. It is supposed to be a really wet formula, so I am not 100% sure I will like it.

MD Solar Sciences MD Creme Mineral Beauty Balm

At first, I thought this beauty balm was a primer for makeup, but it is a BB cream to wear alone. It has dimethicone as one of the ingredients, which might actually make it a decent primer if I tried to put under my foundation.

Are you a Sample Society subscriber? Were you happy with this month’s box?

Something I didn’t cut for budget purposes are my beauty subscriptions. It’s just such a treat to receive these inexpensive “presents” every month in my mailbox.

November’s Birchbox is all about giving. They are committed to giving a $15,000 donation, as well as an addition $1 per share of hashtag #shaRED along with a photo of the facts on your outer box.

Now to the contents of my box,

Amika Nourishing Mask

I am really excited to try this Amika Nourishing Mask. This is a once-a-week treatment that conditions and repairs hair. This sample smells divine, but I am a sucker for smells. I really enjoyed last month’s sample of Amika Dry Shampoo, and I have no doubt I will love this Nourishing Mask.

Gilchrist & Soames Spa Therary Body Wash

I love liquid body wash, so this Gilchrist & Soames Spa Therapy Body Wash will absolutely get used. This body wash leaves a nice fresh scent, but the packaging leaves a little to be desired. I would not be surprised if this is a hotel brand, because this looks exactly like the hotel toiletry samples. I’m not sure if I will be purchasing a full size of this product.

Perlier Absolute Comfort Body Butter

I actually like this body butter. The consistency is nice for use as a hand cream because it is just moisturizing enough, and not too greasy. The scent is light and would be just the right amount if you don’t want to wear anything too perfume-y. The full size is a bit pricey at $34.46, but well worth it if you are an avid lotioner like myself.

Red Flower Illuminating Rose Collagen Renewal Face Serum

I received two 3 ml samples of this facial serum. It is supposed to boost elasticity and helps with the prevention of wrinkles. I have not tried it yet, but might do a seperate review if I feel it is any good.

theBalm Cosmetics Cindy-Lou Manizer

I am so happy happy happy that I received Cindy-Lou Manizer! I have been eyeing this highlighter for the last month or so, and I can’t wait to try it. Highlighters have been my obsession lately, so I can’t wait to test it out. I have family pictures this weekend, so I think I will be using Cindy-Lou Manizer to make my makeup application extra special. I am beyond happy to try this product!

Bonus Sample: Justin’s Chocolate Almond Butter

I love peanut butter, and almond butter is equally as delicious. I can’t wait to try this Chocolate Almond Butter on a slice of toast, and a few slices of apple!

I am SUPER happy with November’s Birchbox! Just when I get bored with my Birchbox, they come out with a box like this, and they gain my attention again! I can’t wait to use all of this month’s samples.

If you have read my last few blogs-frst of all thanks, but really if you have, you know that my financial situation changed, and I now have the challenge of finding high quality, low cost products. This can be quite a challenge, because I know most of us expect to be somewhat disappointed in some of the drugstore products we purchase because of the old adage: You get what you pay for.

I reviewed It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye a while ago, if you are curious you can read it here, I was extremely happy with the coverage the concealer gave me, but the price is a little high, so I purchased the 0.11 fl oz. travel size. For the travel size alone, it was $10 at Ulta. I love Bye Bye Under Eye, the coverage and color concentration is awesome, and exactly what you would look for in a heavy duty concealer. I picked it up in the Tan shade which is just a little too dark to use under my eyes, so that’s why I was still on the hunt for the right undereye concealer.

I went to my local Walmart store last week, and while checking out the cosmetics department, I came across Hard Candy. I always knew Walmart carried Hard Candy, but I never really considered the brand because I always felt it was a little on the cheesy/cheap side. I remembered that there has been some buzz around the Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer, so I decided to purchase it.

I picked up Glamoflauge for $6 in the medium shade, to use exclusively on my undereye area. I have been using it for the last week now, and I love it! The packaging, consistency, and concentration is nearly identical to Bye Bye Under Eye!

For application, I apply my foundation first, then apply Glamoflauge to my undereyes with my finger, and then blending the concealer with a beauty sponge, it comes out flawlessly. A light dusting of setting powder finishes it off, and it lasts all day.

I absolutely recommend Hard Candy Glamoflauge as a dupe for It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye if you are on a budget. I am pleased I got Glamoflauge because at the moment this is my HG concealer.

Have you tried any Hard Candy products? Do you like the brand? What is your holy grail concealer?